KALPEE INTERVIEW: Kalpee has fast become one of the Caribbean’s most exciting exports, from collaborating with Stefflon Don, to headlining SXSW stages from London to Texas, and performing at global events like the Singapore Grand Prix, while earning support from BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Capital Xtra, Clash, Wonderland, and Notion for his boundary-pushing “New Calypso” sound. Get familiar…
What five words define your sound?
Cinematic, nostalgic, uplifting, meaningful, real.
Tell me something unique about your creative process.
I play Gran Turismo alongside creating for when I start overthinking the process.
Which song of yours would you like people to hear first?
‘Wherever you are’.
What inspired you to make that song?
This song was born out of frustration and disappointment, to be honest. Growing up, I remember I was kind of jaded. In Trinidad, it didn’t feel like there was space for me musically and I carried a bit of bitterness because of that. But I’ve never been one to dwell on the negatives or put that energy into the music. The creative process actually helps me find the lessons in things. So even though the emotions behind it might have come from a heavy place, It always translates into a positive message.
There’s a Trini saying my family would tell me: ‘Your friends will lead you, but they won’t bring you back.’ Over the years, I added my own twist to it: ‘Just wish they go far and learn how to love themselves’. That sums up the heart of the song acknowledging the struggles, but still rooting for people to find their own way.
What’s the most vulnerable you’ve allowed yourself to be when writing/making music?
I was in the UK during winter, on my own, and making music just wasn’t feeling fun anymore. I remember staring at a blank Ableton timeline, uninspired, at rock bottom, not sure if I even wanted to keep going. I saw a stick of palo santo on my desk so I just lit it and said a prayer asking for guidance and to help me navigate my mindset at the time. That shifted my energy completely and gave me the space to try again. That’s when the idea for ‘Heaven So Close’ unfolded. Hope you get to hear it soon.
What’s the best/worst experience you’ve had on stage?
Best experience would have to be performing for the Singapore Grand Prix. It felt epic, being on stage during sunset time, while hearing the F1 cars in the distance was next level and so cinematic.
What is your favourite song to perform?
I’ve got this song called ’Courage’ that Isn’t out yet, but I’ve performed it before and it’s a big vibe, edgy, inspiring.
Which artist/song/album made you want to make music?
Biggest artist inspiration has to be Bob Marley as his music was honest.
What’s the meaning behind your name?
So ‘Kalpee’ is my last name. All through school my friends would refer to me as that, so naturally that’s what stuck. Later on I learnt that apparently the name connects to the Sanskrit word kalpa meaning able, enduring, timeless. So now the name feels like both my roots and my reminder to keep going.
If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing instead?
If I weren’t making music, I’d definitely get into racing, I’m already really into sim racing and motorsport in general, so definitely that but other than that, I’d be a chef.
What’s success to you?
A state of mind, success for me is getting to the point where nothing can phase me, it’s a mindset.
What moment in your life/career forced you to change direction?
Music has always been the direction, I’ve been singing since the age of six and it’s something that just came naturally to me. However in 2019 I had a near fatal accident which changed the soundscape of my music and the importance of it.
Where can people keep in touch with you?
I’m @kalpee on all platforms, connect with me.
